Bagabag Island

(Diver Level: Intermediate to Expert; Drift Dive – Strong currents)

The most exciting island destination, lying 32 nautical miles off the coast, is Bagabag Island.  Featuring several excellent harbours that were used by the Japanese Navy during World War II – the only foreigners to have ever inhabited the island in significant numbers - today, you are warmly welcomed by the local villagers.

Just 10km in length and 25km wide, Bagabag Island was one of many peaks of a long mountain range pushed up from the sea floor by cataclysmic volcanic forces thousands of years ago – and that surround an extinct volcano. Being so far from the mainland, there are no muddy estuaries to impact the crystal-clear waters.  

For those who spearfish, Bagabag island is where you will be able to discover schools of the elusive, dogtooth tuna, as they cruise past without a doubt.

The outer barrier reefs and passes have some of the dynamic pelagic diving in the Madang area. Sharks are frequent, as are big game fish such as, Spanish mackerel, Marlin and Mahi Mahi.

Soft corals and sea fans decorate the walls and great clouds of fish feed in the currents. Very little diving has been done here and is obvious from the reefs’ pristine quality. There is excellent, easy snorkelling in the shallows of the fringing reefs. Only experienced snorkelers should try the outer barrier. 

Karkar Island, Bagabag Island’s close neighbour, remains an active volcano.  The other underwater peaks are made up of sheer pinnacles that spear from hundreds of metres below water to within 4 metres of the surface.